System and Method for Ordering a Print Product Using a Mobile Computing Device

ABSTRACT

A system and method for ordering a print product using a mobile computing device is provided. The system includes a photofinisher configured for receiving a print order from the mobile computing device and producing the print product based upon the print order. Further, a print product ordering module is configured for allowing the print order to be completed using the mobile computing device, wherein the print order includes the digital image and the print product selected using the mobile computing device. A wireless local area network is configured for placing the mobile computing device in communication with the photofinisher when the mobile computing device is located within a range of the wireless local area network. The print order completed using the mobile computing device is communicated to the photofinisher when the mobile computing device is located within the range of the wireless local area network.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/959,465, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,965,786, filed Aug. 5, 2013, whichclaims the benefit of U.S. Patent Application No. 61/679,688, filed Aug.4, 2012, which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a system and method for ordering aprint product incorporating a digital image using a mobile computingdevice; in particular, the system and method is directed to allowing themobile computing device to order a print product from a fulfillmentcenter through a wireless local area network, such as a Wi-Fi network.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

With the increasing popularity of mobile computing devices, such assmart phones, and their ability to take high resolution digital images,there is a demand for producing print products that incorporate digitalimages. Print products can take the form of photographic prints,calendars, photo books, posters, mugs, t-shirts, and the like. Currentlythere are a few different ways a consumer can order a print productincorporating a digital image.

One way to order a print product is through the use of a kiosk. A kioskis a self-service computing device that is typically located within amass retail store, supermarket, drug store, or other convenient locationthat allows a customer to upload photos and select print products togenerate a print order. The selected print products identified in theprint order can either be printed by the kiosk itself, or the printorder can be fulfilled by a photofinisher that is in communication withthe kiosk through a network. The photofinisher may be located in closeproximity to the kiosk or at a remote location. In order to use a kioskaccording to the existing methodology to create a print order, thedigital image needs to be uploaded to the kiosk. In order to do so, thecustomer needs to save the digital image on a portable data storagedevice, such as a thumb drive or memory card, prior to arriving at thekiosk. This particular step in the photo ordering process sometimesdiscourages customers from using the kiosk to place a print order. Forinstance, an individual may not think of ordering a print product untilhe actually makes visual contact with the kiosk after arriving at thestore, and at that point, it would be inconvenient for him to transfer adigital image from his mobile computing device to a portable datastorage device that is accepted by the kiosk. As a result, no printproduct is ordered by the individual.

Another way to order a print product is by using a print productordering website made available over a wide area network, such as theInternet. In using a print product photo ordering website, a digitalimage is uploaded to the print product ordering website, the desiredprint product is selected, and the print order is communicated to thefulfillment center. The ordered print product may then be picked up bythe customer at a pick-up location selected by the customer, such as amass retail store or drug store. This ordering method is inconvenient insome instances because it requires the customer to remember that a printproduct was ordered and that it needs to be picked up at a certainlocation after a specified time period. It is not uncommon for customersto forget to pick up the ordered print product. It also may beinconvenient for the customer to have to make a separate trip to theselected pick-up location.

What is needed is a system and method for ordering print products thatis convenient for a customer and encourages more frequent ordering ofprint products. The present invention fulfills these needs as well asother needs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In order to overcome the above stated inefficiencies, one aspect of thepresent invention provides a system for ordering a print product using amobile computing device, wherein the print product incorporates adigital image. The digital image may be stored in a memory of the mobilecomputing device, or a digital image data storage server accessible bythe mobile computing device through a wide area network, such as theInternet. The system comprises at least one photofinisher, a printproduct ordering module, a wireless local area network, and, optionally,a photo lab system. The photofinisher is configured for receiving aprint order from the mobile computing device and producing the printproduct based upon the print order. The print product ordering module isconfigured for allowing the print order to be completed using the mobilecomputing device, wherein the print order includes the digital image andthe print product selected using the mobile computing device. The printproduct ordering module may be stored in a memory located in the mobilecomputing device, photofinisher, or the photo lab system. The wirelesslocal area network is configured for placing the mobile computing devicein communication with the photofinisher when the mobile computing deviceis located within a range of the wireless local area network. The printorder completed using the mobile computing device is communicated to thephotofinisher when the mobile computing device is located within therange of the wireless local area network. The photo lab system isconfigured for receiving the print order from the mobile computingdevice and communicating the print order to one of a plurality ofphotofinishers.

In other aspects of the invention, the print product ordering module isconfigured for allowing for payment of the print order using the mobilecomputing device, and generating a bar code or other order identifyingindicator that is displayed on the mobile device after payment iscompleted. The system also may be configured for sending a notificationto the mobile computing device indicating that the ordered print producthas been produced by the photofinisher. Further, the system may beconfigured for automatically communicating a completed print order tothe photofinisher from the mobile computing device when the mobilecomputing device enters the range of the wireless local area network.The system also may operate to filter the print products available toinclude in a print order depending upon the image characteristics andattributes of the digital images selected using the mobile computingdevice.

In another aspect, a method is provided for ordering a print productusing a mobile computing device, wherein the print product incorporatesa digital image. The method comprises: providing a photofinisherconfigured for receiving a print order from the mobile computing deviceand producing the print product based upon the print order; providing awireless local area network configured for allowing the mobile computingdevice to communicate with the photofinisher when the mobile computingdevice is located within a range of the wireless local area network;allowing the print order to be completed using the mobile computingdevice, the print order including the digital image and the printproduct selected using the mobile computing device; allowing for thecommunication of the completed print order from the mobile computingdevice to the photofinisher when the mobile computing device is locatedwithin a range of the wireless local area network; receiving the printorder at the photofinisher; and producing the print product specified inthe print order using the photofinisher. The method may further comprisethe steps of providing a plurality of photofinishers; providing a photolab system in communication with the plurality of photofinishers;receiving the print order from the mobile computing device at the photolab system; and communicating the print order to one of the plurality ofphotofinishers.

Further, the method may include the step of communicating a print orderinquiry to the mobile computing device when the mobile computing deviceenters the range of the wireless local area network to inform theindividual in possession of the mobile computing device that certainprint products are available to be ordered using the photofinisherslocated in the wireless local area network. The print order inquiry mayalso be communicated to the mobile computing device after the systemrecognizes that one or more digital images have been stored in thememory located in the mobile computing device within a predeterminedtime period, for example, within the last 30 days, when the mobilecomputing device enters the range of the wireless local area network.This may be used to prompt the customer to use the newly stored digitalimages to purchase print products using the photofinisher incommunication with the wireless local area network.

In the instance that the print order is completed using the printproduct ordering module stored on the mobile computing device prior toentering the range of the wireless local area network, the method mayfurther comprise the step of automatically communicating the completedprint order to the photofinisher when the mobile computing device entersthe range of the wireless local area network.

Additional benefits of the above-described system and method forordering a print product using a mobile computing device are set forthin the following discussion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above-mentioned and other features and advantages of this invention,and the manner of attaining them, will become apparent and be betterunderstood by reference to the following description of the invention inconjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing one or more mobile computingdevices in communication with a photofinisher through a wireless localarea network;

FIG. 2 is a flow diagram showing a method for ordering a print productusing a mobile computing device according to one aspect of the presentinvention;

FIG. 3 is a flow diagram showing a method for ordering a print productusing a mobile computing device according to another aspect of thepresent invention;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram generally illustrating a computing environmentin which the invention may be implemented; and

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram showing an exemplary machine algorithm forproducing a print product through a photofinisher according to oneaspect of the present invention; and

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram representing an exemplary machine algorithm foran embodiment of a print product ordering module according to one aspectof the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Generally, the tools, systems, and methods described herein for allowinga mobile computing device to order a print product from a photofinisherthrough a wireless local area network may be implemented in hardware,software or a combination thereof. In general, the present inventionallows the mobile computing device to be placed in communication withthe photofinisher upon entering a range of the wireless local areanetwork so that a print order may be communicated to the photofinisherand fulfilled by the photofinisher. This creates a situation where theindividual in possession of the mobile computing device is in relativeclose proximity to the photofinisher, which makes it convenient topick-up the ordered print product after it is produced. Further, placingthe mobile computing device in communication with the photofinisherthrough the wireless local area network allows the system to offer printproducts that only may be produced by that particular photofinisher,and/or offer product pricing that is applicable to the particularphotofinisher. Other advantages may also be realized in view of thediscussion that follows.

Referring to the drawings in detail, with particular reference to FIG.1, one aspect of the present invention includes a system 100 forordering a print product using a mobile computing device 102. The system100 may generally include one or more photofinishers 104, a photo labsystem 106, a print product ordering module 108, and a wireless accesspoint device that provides a wireless local area network 110, such as aWi-Fi network. The photofinishers 104 and photo lab system 106 may belocated in a single location, such as a fulfillment center 112, and bein communication with each other using wireless local area network 110or a wired local network connection 114. Fulfillment center 112 may be,for example, a mass retail store or a drug store. It should beunderstood that mobile computing device 102 may be any type of smartphone, tablet, or other mobile device that is capable of displayingdigital images and communicating with photofinisher 104 or photo labsystem 106 using print product ordering module 108 through wirelesslocal area network 110. The term “mobile,” as used to describe themobile computing device 102, is meant to indicate that mobile computingdevice 102 is capable of being moved into a range of wireless local areanetwork 110 from a location outside of network 110. Mobile computingdevice 102 may include one or more mobile software applications thatoperate to allow a user of the mobile computing device to capture, save,and/or edit digital images in a memory of mobile computing device or bya third party that provides for the storage of digital images, such as adigital image data storage server 116. For example, INSTAGRAM and IPHOTOare two such mobile applications that allow for this functionality.

Each of the photofinishers 104 is a printing device that is configuredfor producing a print product that incorporates a digital image based ona print order. A print product can be any type of good that has aselected digital image printed thereon, such as, for example,photographic print, calendar, mug, poster, T-shirt, mouse pad, and thelike. The types of print products that may be produced by photofinishers104 include, but are not limited to, photographic prints, calendars,posters, photo books, mugs, t-shirts, gift cards, and canvas prints.Given the wide variety of print products that may be produced, system100 may include a plurality of different types of photofinishers 104 a,104 b, 104 c, 104 d capable of producing the print products. Withadditional reference to FIG. 6, in accordance with an aspect of thepresent invention, photofinisher 104 is configured for receiving theprint order from mobile computing device 102 when mobile computingdevice 102 is located within a range of the wireless local area network110 at step 602. FIG. 1 shows mobile computing device 102 located withinthe range of wireless local area network 110. It should be understoodthat photofinisher 104 may directly receive the print order from mobilecomputing device 102 through network 110, or indirectly receive theprint order from mobile computing device 102 through photo lab system106 using network 110 as seen in FIG. 1.

Photo lab system 106 may be in communication with each of photofinishers104, and configured for receiving the print order from mobile computingdevice 102 and communicating the print order to the appropriatephotofinisher 102 depending on the capabilities of the photofinisher 102and contents of the print order. As such, photo lab system 106 may serveas a central hub for the plurality of photofinishers 102 a, 102 b, 102c, 102 d, thereby providing an arrangement where the plurality ofphotofinishers are transparent to the customer so that the customerappears to be dealing with a single photofinisher to simplify the systemfrom the customer's perspective.

With additional reference to FIG. 5, the print product ordering module108 is configured for allowing the print order to be completed usingmobile computing device 102. Print product ordering module 108 may bestored in a memory located in photo lab system 106, mobile computingdevice 102, photofinisher 102, or a combination thereof. In preparingthe print order using print product ordering module 108, mobilecomputing device 102 may be used upload a digital image that will beincluded in the print product to photo lab system 106 or photofinisher104. In selecting the digital image to be uploaded, mobile computingdevice 102 may access the digital images stored in a memory of mobilecomputing device 102 at step 502, or digital images previously stored bythe customer in a memory located in a remote digital image server 116through a wide area network 118, such as the Internet. After the digitalimage is selected by the customer at step 504, print product orderingmodule 108 may operate to filter the print products available to beselected by the customer based upon the characteristics or attributes(e.g., the image resolution) of the selected digital image at step 506.For instance, if a selected digital image has a lower resolution than isrequired to product a given product, for example, a poster, then thelist of print products available to the customer will be filtered so itdoes not include a poster. In the alternative, instead of filtering theavailable products, print product ordering module 108 may be configuredto display a warning notice on mobile computing device 102 at step 508indicating that a characteristic or attribute of the selected digitalimage could potentially result in the print product not being producedto a certain level of quality.

Print product ordering module 108 further allows for the selection of aprint product, specification of print characteristics of the selectedprint product (such as size and color parameters), editing of thedigital image, and submission of the completed print order at step 510.Print product ordering module 108 allows for the completed print orderto be sent to photo lab system 106, or directly to an appropriatephotofinisher 104 at step 512, when mobile computing device 102 is withthe range of wireless local area network 110 so that the print productcan be produced and made available to the customer at step 604.

Print product ordering module 108 may also be configured to allow forpayment of the print order using mobile computing device 102 at step514. This aspect of the system 100 may be implemented so that customerdoes not need to make payment when the print products are picked up bythe customer. Further, print product ordering module 108 may beconfigured to generate a bar code that is displayed on mobile computingdevice 102 after payment is made using mobile computing device 102 atstep 516. The bar code may then be displayed when picking up the printproduct produced by photofinisher 104 confirming that payment was madeusing mobile computing device 102. Print product ordering module 108 mayalso be configured to allow mobile computing device 102 to be used toenter identifying information of the individual at step 518, such as theindividual's name, that will be picking up the fulfilled print order,and allow for the print product to be paid for upon pick-up. Printproduct ordering module 108 may also be configured to send anotification to mobile computing device 102 indicating that the orderedprint product has been produced by photofinisher 104 and is ready to bepicked-up at step 520.

Referring back to FIG. 1, local area network 110 may be a wirelessnetwork, such as a Wi-Fi network, that has a signal strength thatprovides a limited range or area in which a mobile computing may connecttherewith. Wireless local area network may be provided, for example, byfulfillment center 112 or the store that fulfillment center 112 islocated within. As mentioned above, wireless local area network 110 isconfigured for placing mobile computing device 102 in communication withan appropriate photofinisher 104 when mobile computing device 102 islocated within the range of the network 110. Therefore, for instance, ifthe range of the network 110 corresponds to the outer limits of thestructure of the store that fulfillment center 112 is located within,then a customer would be able to connect to wireless local area network110 upon entering the store and conveniently order print products usingprint product ordering module 108.

As best seen in FIG. 2, an exemplary method 200 for ordering a printproduct using a mobile computing device over a wireless local areanetwork is shown. Method 200 comprises the step 202 of providing mobilecomputing device 102 with access to one or more digital images stored ina memory of mobile computing device 102, or a remote digital image datastorage server 116. At step 204, mobile computing device 102 is locatedwithin a range of wireless local area network 110, and a print order isallowed to be completed using mobile computing device 102 and printproduct ordering module 108, at step 206. Along with completing theprint order, the method 200 may allow for payment of the print orderusing mobile computing device 102, including the generation of the barcode that may be displayed upon pickup of the ordered print product.

Prior to completing the print order at step 206, the method 200 alsoallows the digital image that will be used to produce the print order tobe edited at step 208. Further, prior to completing the print order atstep 206, and after entering the range of wireless local area network110, the method 200 may also include sending a print order inquiry tomobile computing device at step 210. The print order inquiry may bedisplayed on mobile computing device 102 to inform the individual inpossession of the mobile computing device 102 that mobile computingdevice 102 has entered the range of wireless local area network 110and/or that print product ordering module 108 is available to orderprint products using the photofinisher 104 located within the network110. Print order inquiry may also be generated when print productordering module 108 recognizes that one or more digital images have beenstored in the memory located in the mobile computing device within apredetermined time period. For example, after mobile computing device102 enters the range of wireless local area network 110, print productordering module 108 would operate to determine if any new digital imageswere saved in the memory of mobile computing device 102 within the last30 days, digital images that have not yet been printed, or digitalimages that are new since the last time the mobile computing device 102entered the range of wireless local area network 110. Continuing withthe example, if there are new digital images that were stored in thememory of mobile computing device 102 within the last 30 days, the printorder inquiry would be generated and displayed on mobile computingdevice 102 prompting the individual in possession of mobile computingdevice 102 to enter a print order using one or more of the newly storeddigital images.

After the print order is completed at step 206, mobile computing device102 communicates the print order to either photo lab system 106, ordirectly to photofinisher 104 that is capable of producing the printproduct specified in the print order, at step 212. If the print order iscommunicated to photo lab system 106, then photo lab system 106thereafter communicates the print order to photofinisher 104 that iscapable of producing the print product specified in the print order. Atstep 214, the print order is then received by the appropriatephotofinisher 104 to produce the print product specified in the printorder at step 216. Method 200 may further include sending a notificationto mobile computing device 102 indicating that the ordered print producthas been produced by photofinisher 104 and is available for pick up, atstep 218.

In another aspect of the present invention, with reference to FIG. 3, amethod 300 may be provided that allows a print order to be automaticallycommunicated to photo lab system 106 or photofinisher 104 upon mobilecomputing device 102 entering the range of wireless local area network110. Many of the steps set forth in method 300 are similar to thosedescribed with respect to method 200, and need not be described in anyfurther detail. The similar steps will be labeled with the samereference numbers as in FIG. 2 except in the 300 series. In order toautomatically communicate the print order to photo lab system 106 orphotofinisher 104 upon mobile computing device 102 entering the range ofwireless local area network 110, print product ordering module 108 isstored in the memory of mobile computing device 102. Prior to enteringthe range of the wireless local area network 110, mobile computingdevice 102 may be used to complete the print order using print productordering module 108 at step 306. Once mobile computing device 102 entersthe range of the wireless local area network 110 at step 304, thecompleted print order may thereafter be manually or automaticallycommunicated to either photo lab system 106 or the photofinisher 104capable of fulfilling the print order, at step 312. This allows thecustomer to complete the print order prior to arriving at fulfillmentcenter 112, and conveniently send the print order without the need forexpending any time creating the print order after arriving at thefulfillment center 112.

By allowing a mobile computing device to order print products fromphotofinisher through a wireless local area network associated with afulfillment center, numerous advantages are realized. For instance, theuse of a wireless area network to connect the mobile computing devicewith a photofinisher creates a situation where the mobile computingdevice is in the general physical proximity to the photofinisher, whichmakes it more convenient and efficient for the individual to order aprint product and pick up the ordered print product while remaining inthe vicinity of the photofinisher. This eliminates the need to make aspecial trip to pick up the ordered print product, such as when orderinga print product over the Internet using a print product orderingwebsite. Further, mobile devices oftentimes are used to store digitalimages or access digital images stored in a digital image storage serverover the Internet. Therefore, using mobile computing devices to place aprint order with a photofinisher is convenient and eliminates the needto plan ahead of time to save the digital image on a portable datastorage device, such as a thumb drive.

Having described the system and method of the present invention and anembodiment thereof, an exemplary computer environment for implementingthe described design and execution is presented next.

FIG. 4 shows an exemplary computing environment 400 that can be used toimplement any of the processing thus far described. Computingenvironment 400 may include one or more computers 412 (such asphotofinishers 104, photo lab system 106, mobile computing device 102,or digital image data storage server 116) comprising a system bus 424that couples a video interface 426, network interface 428, akeyboard/mouse interface 434, a printer interface 422, and a systemmemory 436 to a Central Processing Unit (CPU) 438. A monitor or display440 is connected to bus 424 by video interface 426 and provides the userwith a graphical user interface to view the stored digital images,available print products, print orders, etc. The printer interface 422,for example, allows for a printer 424 associated with photofinisher 104to be used to produce the print products specified in the print orders.The graphical user interface allows the user to enter commands andinformation into computer 412 using a keyboard 441 and a user interfaceselection device 443, such as a mouse or other pointing device, or usinga touch screen system. Keyboard 441 and user interface selection deviceare connected to bus 424 through keyboard/mouse interface 434. Thedisplay 440 and user interface selection device 443 are used incombination to form the graphical user interface which allows the userto implement at least a portion of the present invention. Otherperipheral devices may be connected to the computer through universalserial bus (USB) drives 445 to transfer information to and from computer412. For example, cameras and camcorders may be connected to computer412 through serial port 432 or USB drives 445 so that datarepresentative of a digital image, or other digital content may bedownloaded to system memory 436 or another memory storage deviceassociated with computer 412 such that the images may be subsequentlyprinted by one or more of photofinishers 104. It should be understoodthat the computing devices described herein, such as mobile computingdevice 102, may not necessarily include all of the features describedherein with respect to computer 412. For example, mobile computingdevice 102 may not necessarily include printer 424.

The system memory 436 is also connected to bus 424 and may include readonly memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), an operating system 444,a basic input/output system (BIOS) 446, application programs 448 andprogram data 450. The computer 412 may further include a hard disk drive452 for reading from and writing to a hard disk, a magnetic disk drive454 for reading from and writing to a removable magnetic disk (e.g.,floppy disk), and an optical disk drive 456 for reading from and writingto a removable optical disk (e.g., CD ROM or other optical media). Thecomputer 412 may also include USB drives 445 and other types of drivesfor reading from and writing to flash memory devices (e.g., compactflash, memory stick/PRO and DUO, SD card, multimedia card, smart mediaxD card), and a scanner 458 for scanning items such as still imagephotographs to be downloaded to computer 412. A hard disk driveinterface 452 a, magnetic disk drive interface 454 a, an optical driveinterface 456 a, a USB drive interface 445 a, and a scanner interface458 a operate to connect bus 424 to hard disk drive 452, magnetic diskdrive 454, optical disk drive 456, USB drive 445 and scanner 458,respectively. Each of these drive components and their associatedcomputer-readable media may provide computer 412 with non-volatilestorage of computer-readable instruction, program modules, datastructures, application programs, an operating system, and other datafor computer 412. In addition, it will be understood that computer 412may also utilize other types of computer-readable media in addition tothose types set forth herein, such as digital video disks, random accessmemory, read only memory, other types of flash memory cards, magneticcassettes, and the like.

Computer 412 may operate in a networked environment using logicalconnections with system 100. Network interface 428 provides acommunication path 460 between bus 424 and network 110, 118, whichallows, for example, a print order to be communicated from mobilecomputing device 102 through network 110 to photo lab system 106 orphotofinisher 104. Other types of information, such as, data associatedwith a digital image, may also be communicated from bus 424 through acommunication path 462 to network 118 using serial port 432 and a modem464, for instance when stored digital image data is retrieved fromdigital image storage server 116 to mobile computing device 102. It willbe appreciated that the network connections shown herein are merelyexemplary, and it is within the scope of the present invention to useother types of network connections between computer 412 andphotofinishers including both wired and wireless connections.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that this invention is one welladapted to attain all the ends and objects hereinabove set forthtogether with other advantages which are obvious and which are inherentto the method and apparatus. It will be understood that certain featuresand sub combinations are of utility and may be employed withoutreference to other features and sub combinations. This is contemplatedby and is within the scope of the claims. Since many possibleembodiments of the invention may be made without departing from thescope thereof, it is also to be understood that all matters herein setforth or shown in the accompanying drawings are to be interpreted asillustrative and not limiting.

The constructions described above and illustrated in the drawings arepresented by way of example only and are not intended to limit theconcepts and principles of the present invention. As used herein, theterms “having” and/or “including” and other terms of inclusion are termsindicative of inclusion rather than requirements.

While the invention has been described with reference to preferredembodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art thatvarious changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted forelements thereof to adapt to particular situations without departingfrom the scope of the invention. Therefore, it is intended that theinvention not be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed as thebest mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that theinvention will include all embodiments falling within the scope andspirit of the appended claims.

1-30. (canceled)
 31. A system for ordering a print product using amobile computing device, the print product is a good that canincorporate a selected digital image printed thereon, the systemcomprising: a photofinisher for receiving a print order uploaded by themobile computing device and producing the print product based upon theprint order; computer executable instructions that are configured forallowing the print order to be completed electronically through themobile computing device, the print order including the selected digitalimage electronically accessed from a memory and the print productselected using the mobile computing device, wherein the computerexecutable instructions are configured to filter the print productsavailable to be selected by the mobile computing device by automaticremoval of print products not available for selection based upon atleast one attribute of the digital image selected by the mobilecomputing device; and a wireless access point device providing awireless local area network for automatically placing the mobilecomputing device in communication with the photofinisher upon the mobilecomputing device entering a range of the wireless local area network,and wherein the print order completed using the mobile computing devicevia the computer executable instructions is automatically communicatedto the photofinisher by the mobile computing device when the mobilecomputing device is located within the range of the wireless local areanetwork.
 32. A system in accordance with claim 31, wherein the computerexecutable instructions are configured to allow for payment of the printorder using the mobile computing device, and generating an orderidentifying indicator that is displayed on the mobile computing deviceafter payment is completed.
 33. A system in accordance with claim 31,wherein the computer executable instructions are stored in a memorylocated in either the mobile computing device or the photofinisher. 34.A system in accordance with claim 31, wherein the system includes aplurality of photofinishers, the system further comprising a photo labsystem in communication with the plurality of photofinishers, whereinthe photo lab system is configured to receive the print order from themobile computing device and communicating the print order to one of theplurality of photofinishers.
 35. A system in accordance with claim 34,wherein the computer executable instructions are stored in a memorylocated in the photo lab system.
 36. A system in accordance with claim31, wherein the memory is located in the mobile computing device or adigital image data storage server accessible by the mobile computingdevice through a wide area network.
 37. A system in accordance withclaim 31, wherein the computer executable instructions are configured tosend a notification to the mobile computing device indicating that theordered print product has been produced by the photofinisher and isready to be picked up.
 38. A system in accordance with claim 31, whereinthe computer executable instructions are configured to allow a user ofthe mobile computing device to capture, save, and/or edit digital imagesin the memory, wherein the memory is located in the mobile computingdevice or a digital image data storage server accessible by the mobilecomputing device through a wide area network.
 39. A method for orderinga print product using a mobile computing device, the print product is agood that can incorporate a digital image printed thereon, the methodcomprising: providing a photofinisher configured for receiving a printorder uploaded from the mobile computing device and producing the printproduct based upon the print order; providing a wireless access pointdevice for automatically placing the mobile computing device incommunication with the photofinisher via a wireless local area networkupon the mobile computing device entering a range of the wireless localarea network; automatically communicating a print order inquiry to themobile computing device when the mobile computing device enters therange of the wireless local area network; providing computer executableinstructions that are configured to allow the print order to becompleted electronically utilizing the mobile computing device after theprint order inquiry is communicated to the mobile computing device, theprint order including the digital image selected and electronicallyaccessed from a memory and the print product selected using the mobilecomputing device; providing for the communication of the completed printorder to the photofinisher when the mobile computing device is locatedwithin the range of the wireless local area network; and receiving thecompleted print order at the photofinisher.
 40. A method in accordancewith claim 39, further comprising: providing a plurality ofphotofinishers; providing a photo lab system in communication with theplurality of photofinishers; receiving the print order from the mobilecomputing device at the photo lab system; and communicating the printorder to one of the plurality of photofinishers.
 41. A method inaccordance with claim 39, wherein the memory is located in the mobilecomputing device.
 42. A method in accordance with claim 41, furthercomprising the steps of: determining that one or more digital imageshave been stored in the memory located in the mobile computing devicewithin a predetermined time period prior to the mobile computing deviceentering the range of the wireless local area network, wherein therecognized one or more digital images are the subject of the print orderinquiry; and prompting a user of the mobile computing device to enterthe print order using one or more of the digital images of the printorder inquiry.
 43. A method in accordance with claim 39, furthercomprising: providing a remote digital image server; and allowing forthe storage of the digital image in the memory, wherein the memory islocated in the remote digital image server accessible by the mobilecomputing device through a wide area network.
 44. A method in accordancewith claim 39, further comprising allowing for payment of the printorder using the mobile computing device.
 45. A method in accordance withclaim 44, further comprising generating an order identifying indicatorthat is displayed on the mobile device after payment is completed.
 46. Amethod in accordance with claim 39, further comprising sending anotification to the mobile computing device indicating that the orderedprint product has been produced by the photofinisher and is ready to bepicked up.
 47. A method in accordance with claim 39, wherein the printorder created by the mobile computing device is automaticallycommunicated to the photofinisher when the mobile computing device islocated within the range of the wireless local area network.
 48. Amethod in accordance with claim 39, further comprising filtering theprint products available to be selected by the mobile computing device,by the computer executable instructions, by automatic removal of printproducts not available for selection based upon at least one attributeof the digital image selected by the mobile computing device.
 49. Amethod in accordance with claim 39, wherein the computer executableinstructions are configured to allow a user of the mobile computingdevice to capture, save, and/or edit digital images in the memory,wherein the memory is located in the mobile computing device or adigital image data storage server accessible by the mobile computingdevice through a wide area network.
 50. A non-transitory computerreadable medium having thereon computer executable instructions forexecution in a computing environment for ordering a print product,wherein the computing environment includes a photofinisher and awireless access point device, and wherein the photofinisher isconfigured for producing the print product based upon the print order,the method comprising: receiving a print order uploaded from the mobilecomputing device at the photofinisher; automatically placing the mobilecomputing device in communication with the photofinisher via a wirelesslocal area network using the wireless access point device upon themobile computing device entering a range of the wireless local areanetwork; automatically communicating a print order inquiry to the mobilecomputing device when the mobile computing device enters the range ofthe wireless local area network; allowing the print order to becompleted electronically utilizing the mobile computing device after theprint order inquiry is communicated to the mobile computing device, theprint order including the digital image selected and electronicallyaccessed from a memory and the print product selected using the mobilecomputing device; providing for the communication of the completed printorder to the photofinisher when the mobile computing device is locatedwithin the range of the wireless local area network; and receiving thecompleted print order at the photofinisher.